Simon Says: in a competitive market, Australian clubs should be able to spend if they can afford it

IT was a rather sobering week for Australian clubs competing in the Asian Champions League. Three losses to FC Seoul, Ulsan Hyundai and Guangzhou Evergrande put into rather stark focus, the gulf that exists between the A-League and its Asian counterparts.

While it’s true that the three clubs mentioned above are heavyweights of the regional scene (containing the two most recent champions, and last years finalists), the conundrum for clubs here, is how to bridge the gap whilst operating under the constraints of a salary capped domestic competition.

The difference in player wages with China in particular, is staggering. According to the most recent figures, published in 2012, Guangzhou Evergrande spent $41 million (Australian) on player salaries in that year alone. By way of contrast, the entire A-League salary cap for 2013/14 - the ten clubs combined - is $25 million.

But it’s not just the sort of money clubs like Guangzhou are able to offer foreign players like Alessandro Diamanti, who earns a reported $4.5 million per year. It’s the cash they are able to spend in the transfer market.

News_Image_File: Alessandro Diamanti of Guangzhou Evergrande.

The squad named by Marcello Lippi for the clash with Melbourne Victory last week cost $40 million in transfer fees. Peanuts by European standards, but when you consider the Victory team was put together for a net outlay of nothing, you begin to understand the size of the task in front of Kevin Muscat’s men.

News_Rich_Media: Melbourne Victory have surrendered a 2-0 lead against Guangzhou Evergrande, allowing the reigning Asian Champions League holders to seal an emphatic 4-2 home win.

Money doesn’t always buy success of course - but it helps. Alessandro Diamanti, the most expensive acquisition at $10.6 million was the game changer in the second half, scoring twice as Victory’s early advantage was wiped out almost before you could say “Renminbi.”

Guangzhou’s largesse has had knock-on effects for other clubs in the Chinese Super League. CSL clubs spent $134 million on transfer fees alone in the last twelve months, as the inflationary effect of Evergrande’s dealings kicked in.

But Evergrande’s success in last years ACL has also had positive spin-offs. This years competition is to be sponsored by Ping’an, who are putting in $27 million per annum over the next four years. CSL club revenues topped $67 million overall in 2013.

A-League clubs cannot hope to compete with those sorts of figures in the foreseeable future. But it’s interesting to see how Guangzhou’s success and growing profile has had a ripple effect. Could they be the driver for a more successful era for Chinese football?

More importantly, could a similar thing happen here, albeit on a smaller scale?

News_Rich_Media: After taking a brilliant 1-0 lead it all fell apart for Western Sydney Wanderers against Korean side Ulsan Hyundai, who exposed some horrible defending

FFA recently announced a reduction in the number of visa players from five to four - yet the “marquee” concept remains the same. One overseas, plus one Australian per club - for those that can afford it.

Is there any mileage in allowing one of the other visa players to be paid outside the cap too?

Some would argue that would merely facilitate higher wages for average foreigners. But that is a question for the clubs, whose recruitment policies have certainly improved in recent years.

As it stands, the salary cap means that Brisbane - for example - will lose Besart Berisha next season (despite making representations to FFA for an exemption), because they already have Thomas Broich as their overseas marquee. It means that Melbourne Heart - despite having rich new owners - cannot bring in a second overseas marquee, to complement the excellent Orlando Engelaar.

News_Image_File: Tony Popovic has plenty to think about.

News_Rich_Media: FFA chief David Gallop has said the governing body are monitoring developments between the Western Sydney Wanderers and their fan base.

Sure, the rule ensures the domestic competition remains relatively equal. But does it make them better teams, more capable of competing in Asia, as Roar will surely do in 2015? Not in my book.

If Australian clubs are to stand any chance of competing with our richer neighbours like Guangzhou Evergrande, then they must be allowed to improve their teams, and in turn, drive up standards across the league.

I’m aware that Australian sport is wedded to the concept of salary caps to ensure competitiveness, and that it has also been a necessary evil for an - historically - fragile national league.

But football in Australia is now competing in a world market for high stakes. It’s time to loosen the shackles a little - if clubs here can afford to spend some extra money, then why not let them?